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Stephens, of Ocala, was the father of Kenneth James Stephens Jr., 35, a blast team supervisor for the Austin Powder Company, who died after being trapped underwater in a limerock mine accident in December in Sumter County.

Members of the younger man's family, locally and from out of state, had gathered Monday at Carney Island Park for a reunion in his memory.

Just after noon, according to witnesses and officials, Yambao, who was Kenneth Sr.'s sister-in-law, was swimming with a child near a vessel captained by Stephens.

Yambao reportedly panicked, and when Stephens saw what was happening he jumped in and got the child safely back in the boat. When he returned to assist Yambao, they both went under.

A recovery effort was conducted throughout the afternoon Monday but was suspended due to stormy weather.

The search resumed early Tuesday. Within three hours, searchers found the bodies.

Marion County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Jenifer Lowe said they were located near each other using sonar equipment provided by the Lake County Sheriff's Office. Members of Marion County's Underwater Recovery Team recovered the bodies.

Lt. Dennis Joiner, assistant commander of the dive team, said the bodies were in 21 feet of water roughly 150 yards from Lemon Point, which is about a quarter mile from the dock at Carney Island Park. The bodies were taken to Hope Beach and turned over to officials with the Medical Examiner's Office.

One member of the family, Lawrence Stephens, acted as a spokesman. Right now, he said, it's a very hard time for the family. He called the deaths "a tragic accident."

It's a close-knit family, he said, and they are getting a lot of support.

<p>The bodies of apparent drowning victims Pauline Yambao, 44, and Kenneth Stephens Sr., 55, were recovered at about 11:15 a.m. Tuesday during the second day of a search in Lake Weir.</p><p>Stephens, of Ocala, was the father of Kenneth James Stephens Jr., 35, a blast team supervisor for the Austin Powder Company, who died after being trapped underwater in a limerock mine accident in December in Sumter County.</p><p>Members of the younger man's family, locally and from out of state, had gathered Monday at Carney Island Park for a reunion in his memory.</p><p>Just after noon, according to witnesses and officials, Yambao, who was Kenneth Sr.'s sister-in-law, was swimming with a child near a vessel captained by Stephens.</p><p>Yambao reportedly panicked, and when Stephens saw what was happening he jumped in and got the child safely back in the boat. When he returned to assist Yambao, they both went under.</p><p>A recovery effort was conducted throughout the afternoon Monday but was suspended due to stormy weather.</p><p>The search resumed early Tuesday. Within three hours, searchers found the bodies.</p><p>Marion County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Jenifer Lowe said they were located near each other using sonar equipment provided by the Lake County Sheriff's Office. Members of Marion County's Underwater Recovery Team recovered the bodies.</p><p>Lt. Dennis Joiner, assistant commander of the dive team, said the bodies were in 21 feet of water roughly 150 yards from Lemon Point, which is about a quarter mile from the dock at Carney Island Park. The bodies were taken to Hope Beach and turned over to officials with the Medical Examiner's Office.</p><p>One member of the family, Lawrence Stephens, acted as a spokesman. Right now, he said, it's a very hard time for the family. He called the deaths "a tragic accident."</p><p>It's a close-knit family, he said, and they are getting a lot of support.</p><p>He thanked everyone for their thoughts and prayers.</p><p><i>Contact Austin L. Miller at 867-4118 or austin.miller@starbanner.com.</i></p>